Willingham has last chance to land top recruits
By JOE HETTLER
Sports Writer
The month-long search for a head coach may hurt Notre Dame's chances to land top recruits, according to recruiting analyst Tom Lemming. Lemming believes Tyrone Willingham may struggle landing his first Irish class.
Lemming believes that recruiting at Stanford and recruiting at Notre Dame present two completely different scenarios.
"It was a different kind of recruiting at Stanford where they only went after the top academic kids which is easier recruiting," Lemming said. "Now in order for [Willingham's coaching staff] to prove themselves at Notre Dame they have to battle the Florida States and the Tennessees and the Michigans head to head. It will be determined by signing day how good they've done this year."
Lemming also said that the recruiting problems more than likely would concern Willingham's staff and not the head coach himself.
"I think Willingham will be good, it's really his staff that's the question mark," said Lemming. "They've never really had to prove themselves much before and [the coaches] have never faced the kind of pressure they face at Notre Dame now. But we'll know by Feb. 6 [signing day] how well they've done."
Since Willingham is African-American, Lemming thinks he will have an easier time bringing in black recruits. But since his hiring Willingham has already lost three top black recruits.
"I think [his race] should be very important except they've been losing [black recruits] since he's been here. They've lost Dominique Byrd, Gavin Dickey and Julian Jenkins, three of the guys that everybody expected Notre Dame to get. But I do think it is important in the long run," Lemming said.
The Irish have had another problem to overcome during this year's recruiting process.
The annual football banquet is planned for every December and is mainly used for recruiting visits. But this year the banquet was cancelled because of the coaching situation and this may cost the Irish dearly this year.
"A lot of the players that could have come into Notre Dame in December have already committed in January before they've had a chance to get to the [January] 18th," said Lemming. "They had to cancel both weekends because of the coaching change and it has some effect on [the recruiting]."
Many of the players that have already verbally committed to attend Notre Dame have been excited about the hiring of Willingham. The recruit that seems the most thrilled about Willingham is safety Jake Carney. Carney narrowed his college choice down to Stanford and Notre Dame before choosing the Irish. Now that Willingham is the head coach, Carney is thrilled.
"I'm extremely excited about [Willingham]," said Carney. "My top two [schools] that I had narrowed down to before committing to Notre Dame were Notre Dame and Stanford. This really was a perfect situation for me. I think he's a great coach and his character and coaching style makes you want to play well for him and work hard for him."
Offensive lineman Bob Morton couldn't agree more with Carney.
"When I saw Coach Willingham at the press conference I was highly impressed," said Morton. "He handles himself very well, which is going to be one of the main points for this job. I have nothing but good things to say about him."
Almost all of the previously committed recruits were expected to stick with Notre Dame despite the head coaching situation. The two recruits that were wavering on whether to sign with Notre Dame or not were quarterback Chris Olsen and lineman Jeremy Vanalstyne. As of now, Olsen has reaffirmed his commitment to the Irish while Vanalstyne has changed his verbal commitment to the University of Michigan. When asked whether he knew where he would attend school next year, Vanalstyne was indecisive.
"I don't know right now," said Vanalstyne.
Despite losing Vanalstyne Notre Dame can still bring in a top five recruiting class for next season depending on how well the Irish do this weekend when 15 blue chip prospects make their official visits.
The biggest name visiting this week is Lorenzo Booker. Booker, a running back from Ventura, Calif., is rated as the third best player in the country and the No. 1 running back. Lemming believes the Irish have a chance to sign him.
"He's never been to Notre Dame and he doesn't like cold weather," said Lemming. "The positive is that he knows Notre Dame will give him the best education and also probably a better chance to play and team him with his teammate and good friend James Bonelli."
Booker, along with other top high school players from around the country, will get a chance to meet Willingham this weekend and the new head coach will have one last chance to secure a solid recruiting class.
All Sports Stories for Friday, January 18, 2002
